SECRET NEXT TO AN ICON
WHILE we’ve all heard of Burleigh National Park and Headland and have seen the area’s dreamy pictures of crashing waves along the coastline, you might not know about its neighbour, Burleigh Ridge Park.
The 25-hectare area forms part of the Burleigh Green Space Conservation Reserves and supports a large population of koalas.
It’s the perfect little getaway.
And when you need to take a breather but can’t afford to spend hours driving from the Coast, this is the place to go.
The trails in the area are well managed and are perfect for active kids still hyped up on Easter eggs and bored by the school holidays.
While you won’t find super steep or rough terrain, it is classed by council as uneven, and there are some flights of stairs to climb.
But the more challenging walk is worth it as you’ll find gorgeous gum trees lining the trails, some with amazing hues of orange.
Interestingly, the area houses a good array of wildlife considering its proximity to highways, homes and the like — native birds, koalas, snakes, possums and lizards can all be found here.
Peeking out between the gums are snippets of the Burleigh area and coastline, so pack your camera.
You’ll even spot views of the Gold Coast Hinterland’s Springbrook area.
The Burleigh Ridge Park is really just a stone’s throw from the National Park, so could easily be combined for a full day of walking fun - beach and bush.
The entrances to the reserve are from Tabilban Street, George Street and the Gold Coast Highway.